LONDON • Manchester United are prepared to give David de Gea the largest basic pay package in English football history and are increasingly confident he will sign a long-term contract extension with the Premier League club. While leading the search to appoint a new permanent manager and director of football, United's executive chairman Ed Woodward also regards tying de Gea down as a priority and is pressing ahead with attempts to conclude a deal. The signs are that de Gea wants to extend his eight-year stay at United and there is a feeling that only unrealistic agent demands would threaten the deal. United, however, first need to turn their attention to on-pitch matters, starting with today's FA Cup fifth-round tie at Chelsea. Yes, it worries me because I believe in my abilities as a player, I want to show it."

Source: BBC February 17, 2019 21:00 UTC